Detecting passing RFID tags in a sports event

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detection assembly ( 102 ) for detecting passing sports timing transponders ( 14 ) in a sports event, comprising: an antenna ( 106 ) and a calculation unit ( 104 ) connected to the antenna; and a channel element ( 22 ) for positioning the antenna and the calculation unit on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna and the calculation unit from external forces, wherein said channel element is connectable to a preceding channel element ( 108 ) and a following channel element ( 110 ) to form a line; said calculation unit is connectable to a first neighboring calculation unit ( 112 ) via a first cable ( 114 ) extending into the preceding channel element and to a second neighboring calculation unit ( 116 ) via a second cable ( 118 ) extending into the following channel element; and said calculation unit includes a voltage detection circuitry ( 124 ) for detecting whether power is provided to the calculation unit via the first cable or via the second cable. The present invention further relates to a floor cable channel ( 20 ) and a race timing system ( 16 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detection assembly for detecting passing sports timing transponders in a sports event, comprising:
 an antenna and a calculation unit connected to the antenna; and   a channel element for positioning the antenna and the calculation unit on an underlying surface and for protecting the antenna and the calculation unit from external forces, wherein   said channel element is connectable to a preceding channel element and a following channel element to form a line;   said calculation unit is connectable to a first neighboring calculation unit via a first cable extending into the preceding channel element and to a second neighboring calculation unit via a second cable extending into the following channel element; and   said calculation unit includes a voltage detection circuitry for detecting whether power is provided to the calculation unit via the first cable or via the second cable, wherein   the voltage detection circuitry is configured to determine from which one of the first cable or the second cable power is provided and to then initialize a through connection to provide power to the respective neighboring calculation unit.   
     
     
         2 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the calculation unit includes a data bus circuitry to provide a data bus communication with further calculation units of further detection assemblies connected via the first cable and via the second cable in a daisy chain.   
     
     
         3 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the calculation unit includes a terminal detection circuitry for detecting whether the calculation unit is connected to only one of the first neighboring calculation unit and the second neighboring calculation unit.   
     
     
         4 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit includes a position detection circuitry for detecting a first number of calculation units connected via the first cable and/or a second number of calculation units connected via the second cable. 
     
     
         5 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit includes a reconfiguration circuitry for detecting a change in a first number of calculation units connected via the first cable and/or a second number of calculation units connected via the second cable. 
     
     
         6 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the communication circuitry is configured
 to receive from the decoder a synchronization signal for synchronizing operation of the calculation units in the line; and/or   to receive from the decoder a position information indicating a position of the calculation unit in a chain of calculation units from the point of view of the decoder.   
     
     
         7 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the calculation unit includes a defect detection circuitry for detecting a defect in the calculation unit and for establishing a direct connection between the first cable and the second cable.   
     
     
         8 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the calculation unit includes an RFID reader circuitry for detecting passing passive RFID tags in spatial vicinity of the antenna and determining a corresponding passing time.   
     
     
         9 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the channel element includes:
 a first connection portion for connecting the channel element to the preceding channel element and a second connection portion for connecting the channel element to the following channel element;   a center protection area for receiving the antenna;   a first protection area for receiving the first cable, wherein the first protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the first connection portion, and a second protection area for receiving the second cable, wherein the second protection area is designed to connect the center protection area to the second connection portion; and   a bypass protection area for receiving a cable, wherein the bypass protection area is designed to connect the first connection portion to the second connection portion.   
     
     
         10 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is connectable to the first cable and/or the second cable by means of a first connector part and a second connector part that are designed for being screwed together to establish an electric connection. 
     
     
         11 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first connector part and the second connector part
 include printed circuit boards; and/or   include at least one pogo pin for establishing the electric connection upon being screwed together.   
     
     
         12 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first connector part includes a threaded connector for receiving a screw, in particular a soldered threaded connector. 
     
     
         13 . The detection assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first connector part and/or the second connector part are designed for holding a sealing in between for protecting the electric connection from moisture. 
     
     
         14 . A floor cable channel comprising multiple detection assemblies according to  claim 1  connected to one another to form a line. 
     
     
         15 . The floor cable channel according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the calculation units in every second detection assembly are connected via cables so that two independently connected chains are formed.   
     
     
         16 . The floor cable channel as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein
 a connection portion of a first channel element is designed for being connected to a connection portion of a second channel element by means of a connection element allowing a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element about a rotational axis orthogonal to a first longitudinal axis of the first channel element and orthogonal to a second longitudinal axis of the second channel element; and   by means of said rotational movement, the floor cable channel is brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged one behind the other along their longitudinal axes.   
     
     
         17 . A race timing system including a floor cable channel as claimed in  claim 14  and a decoder connected to a calculation unit of the first and/or second detection assembly in the line, wherein
 the decoder is configured to synchronize operation of the connected detection assemblies. 
 
     
     
         18 . The race timing system as claimed in  claim 17 , including a further decoder connected to a calculation unit of the last and/or last-but-one detection assembly.